Saturday, April 10, 2010

*Celebration of Chocolate*

As I was perusing through Borders looking through cookbooks and magazines for inspirations, I came across this The Best of Fine Cooking magazine. All about CHOCOLATE!!!


I knew I had to buy it. Now, as I skimmed through the magazine, recipe after recipe, image after image, got me excited to test it out. I knew I had to dedicate a blog post, and the entire month of April, to chocolate!

Here is the list of all the recipes that caught my eye and taste buds, along with the pictures that accompanied it...

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mocha Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
Bittersweet Mocha Cookies

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate Souffle Cookies

Pistachio-Chocolate Shortbread Wedges (except I want to substitute the pistachio for hazelnuts or macadamia nuts)

Chocolate Dipped Espresso Shortbread Cookies

Chocolate Brownie Cookies

Brownie Cream Cheese Bites

Double Chocolate Glazed Peppermint Brownies
Double Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies
Nutty Butterscotch & Chocolate Bars (aka Blondies)
Kahlua Fudge Bites
Hazelnut Toffee Squares

Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes

Mocha Chip Cupcakes with Sour Cream Frosting

Chocolate Caramel Tart with Macadamia Nuts and Creme Fraiche Whipped Cream

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake

Triple Chocolate Ice Cream Pie

Chocolate French Toast Sandwiches

Truffles!!!

Molten Lava Cake (even though it is not in this magazine I am adding it to this list, because I can)

I'm pretty sure I gained 5 pounds just writing this list.

After I make a dessert I will take a picture and blog about it of course. And if you have any suggestions on other chocolate dreams I should make or would like to suggest which dessert I should attempt, feel free to let me know.

Until then...

Happy Chocolate!

ps-all pictures are from The Best of Fine Cooking: Chocolate Magazine. please don't sue me :)

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Dr. Seuss Red Velvet Cupcakes and Thin Mint Cheesecake Cupcakes

So I know it's been a while but March has taken a lot of my time. But have no fear, I have been practicing my mad culinary skillz. :)

Here are some cupcakes that I made for my kids at work. First up are my Thin Mint Cheesecake Cupcakes that I made for Saint Patrick's Day.

I took Martha Stewart's Oreo Cheesecake Cupcakes from her cupcake book and substituted Girl Scout' Thin Mint Cookies for Oreos. Ah-MAY-zing. The kids were split, some loved it while others were thrown off by the cheesecake consistency.

Next up are my Dr. Seuss themed Red Velvet Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting.

This is what the batter looked like. Yes, it is very pink because I ran out of red food coloring. While it called for the an entire bottle's worth of food coloring, I was only able to get out 7-8 drops. It's ok, its only for the color and it was covered by the frosting, which, if I may say so myself, was delicious. Here is what the finish product looked like.

They were much more of a hit with my kids.



I also used a piping bag for my first time. I piped the red and cream buttercream on the cupcakes using a star tip and regular tip. It was definitely a challenge to make it smooth and perfect. I guess I have to practice to improve my art...no complaints here!

Up next I am planning on making some S'more cupcakes inspired by another baking friend. But right now I got some Marshmallow Hazelnut brownies in the oven.

Happy Baking :)